Dollywood plans 5-acre expansion for 2019

Our sister station WATE-TV in Knoxville reports that city officials in Pigeon Forge have been notified of the coming expansion - but officials at Dollywood continue to hold specifics close to its vest.

WATE reports that according to plans provided by the city of Pigeon Forge, the new area, which will be located near the Celebrity Theater, will have eight new attractions including a family coaster, a new restaurant and other amenities such as restrooms.

"What little we know is that it's been through planning commission and received preliminary approval," Ken Maples with Pigeon Forge Hospitality and Tourism told WATE. "It is an expansion of the park, so, it's an entire new section of the park, I believe somewhere around five acres. It contains various attractions and things like that and it's probably part of their $300 million expansion they announced three or four years ago."

Dollywood spokesperson Pete Owen released the following statement about the project:

“Dollywood is consistently working to expand and improve our parks and resorts. We do not have anything official to announce at this time. Dolly will announce future plans for the Dollywood company later in the year.”

The YouTube account "Coaster Studios" took video of the area in Dollywood under construction in December, 2017: